Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Elderly Patients: An Epidemiological Analysis of Risk Factors and Prevention.

A number of elderly patients commit suicide due to the interaction of various factors, including, for example, feelings of loneliness, financial distress, alcohol abuse, chronic pain, progressive diseases, and personality disorders. The data from the EU countries with the highest rates of suicide and suicide attempts among people over 55 years of age warrant the consideration of new approaches to address this social problem. METHODS: PubMed and other databases, including Polish National data, were used for the analyses. RESULTS: The average European suicide-attempt rate is 18 per 100 thousand inhabitants. More cases of suicides were reported among those over 55 years of age. Suicide attempts from the year 2012 to 2014 and deaths in 2012 have been reviewed. The risk factors involved in these events, such as depression and social situations including loneliness, health condition, etc., have been discussed to suggest a plausible preventative approach for this important elderly problem. CONCLUSION: The psychophysiology of elderly persons affected by retirement, socio-economic changes, limited personal autonomy, loneliness, lack of support by the family, and diseases ultimately may lead elderly patients to commit suicide. Thus, financial freedom, family support (respect, love, and care), proper medications, psychological and psychiatric interventions may help the elderly avoid suicidal thoughts and prevent attempts.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal: Criteria differentiation.

There are 2 types of basic self-destructive behavior: suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Currently, more and more researchers point out significant disorders which are NSSI behavior. This phenomenon is not new; NSSI seemingly has always been present in society, and certainly in approx. 10% of the population worldwide in recent times. Despite the enormous scale of the phenomenon, so far it has been overlooked and marginalized. They were considered transient behavior, typical of adolescence, a part of youthful rebellion. Current research indicates that the disorder affects the adult population in almost equal measure. It is only in the latest diagnostic classification - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) by American Psychiatric Association - that has considered NSSI a separate class of behavior. Up to now, it was classified as a prelude to suicide or an element of personality disorders. NSSI is more commonly associated with disturbing behavior and suicide attempts.